Supporting Access to Rural Community Hospitals Act of 2024

This bill amends Medicare rules to temporarily waive distance requirements for certain rural hospitals seeking Critical Access Hospital (CAH) status. Specifically, it allows rural community hospitals participating in a Medicare demonstration program as of the bill's enactment date to be designated as CAHs during a one-year window after the law takes effect. The change modifies existing Medicare regulations to simplify eligibility for these hospitals, which directly affects rural healthcare providers in the designated demonstration program. This policy adjustment aims to improve access to care in underserved areas by making CAH status more attainable for qualifying facilities.